Howa 1500 builds **post them**

[stello1001]

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It’s Reverse Nightstalker coyote tan-tarmac green-black. It looks amazing in person!

I enjoy painting and lately, I've had the itch to paint. I don't want to do my rifle as the last paint scheme I did on it, I still like. But I'll do an insulated coffee container as I've already got it primed up. I may use these colors...
Thanks for posting!

 

[trevor1030]

I just finished an Oryx build on my 24" Howa 1500 SA, i am devasted to find my 24" did not come with a threaded handle for 5/16-24 bolt knobs. My brother who built his 6mm 1500 SA has a threaded bolt handle. Besides sending mine out to a gunsmith or getting a clamp on style knob, is there a way to replace the bolt handle itself?

Thanks, will post pics soon

 

[stello1001]

I just finished an Oryx build on my 24" Howa 1500 SA, i am devasted to find my 24" did not come with a threaded handle for 5/16-24 bolt knobs. My brother who built his 6mm 1500 SA has a threaded bolt handle. Besides sending mine out to a gunsmith or getting a clamp on style knob, is there a way to replace the bolt handle itself?

Thanks, will post pics soon

Can't help on telling you how to replace the bolt handle.

But would you mind sharing with us where yo ur brother got his and where you got yours from? I'm considering a build pretty soon and if I end up getting another howa to build off, I'd probably prefer to have the threaded bolt as an option.

 

[trevor1030]

Can't help on telling you how to replace the bolt handle.

But would you mind sharing with us where yo ur brother got his and where you got yours from? I'm considering a build pretty soon and if I end up getting another howa to build off, I'd probably prefer to have the threaded bolt as an option.

I ordered mine from Brownells, as they have some sales running still but mine was during the holidays, so a 6.5mm 24" heavy barreled action was about 499$ and i bought the MDT Oryx chassis 399$. I love it ill post some pictures up here in a moment. But if i could go back i would contact brownells for them to give me options on ones with the threaded bolt handle, at this point it looks like ill have to send it off to a gunsmith to have it done.

 

[christopher.dow]

Is anyone changing barrels at home on these? If so, how do you go about with it? I've never had or done a switch barrel rifle so I literally have no idea where to start. I see some barrel manufacturers are offering howa 1500 prefits. Any info would be appreciated!

I have a Criterion prefit on my 1500. It shoots every bit as well as my TL3/Proof barrel

 

[Supersubes]

Howa Mini, 20-221 Fireball, 17” Krieger #2, DIP aluminum bottom metal, and a modified Boyd’s pro varmint stock. Coated with Tungsten Cerakote. My phone camera is screwing with the pink. It’s most like the middle pic.

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

Howa Mini, 20-221 Fireball, 17” Krieger #2, DIP aluminum bottom metal, and a modified Boyd’s pro varmint stock. Coated with Tungsten Cerakote.

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That's a fine looking rifle!

 

[stello1001]

Howa Mini, 20-221 Fireball, 17” Krieger #2, DIP aluminum bottom metal, and a modified Boyd’s pro varmint stock. Coated with Tungsten Cerakote.

View attachment 7227633
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Sick looking rifle...

 

[Supersubes]

Thanks guys. Built for the girl as a Xmas present. Shot some test loads before it was coated, happy so far.

 

[42N8 1]

I received an email from legacy sports the distributer of Howa rifles and they said the 6.5 PRC heavy barrel action 24 in will be available in Mar/Apr 2020. Also they will discontinue the KRG Bravo stocks.

 

[delinquent pleb]

Have gotten around to getting my 1500 into a KRG Bravo and have a custom muzzle break installed. Will become my NATO class PSR Rifle in .308. Developing a load with 175gn Berger OTMs

 

[Anb618]

6mm Creedmoor
Bravo paint job by CustomGunCoatings

 

[stello1001]

Wicked paint job

 

[Anb618]

Thanks. Very happy with the work Brandon did. Will definitely be sending other work his way.

 

[stilesg57]

Thanks. Very happy with the work Brandon did. Will definitely be sending other work his way.

Damn — LOOOOOOVE that camo job. Is that the 26” barrel?

 

[Dobbs02si]

Box stock 308 with a 20" tube. As basic as they get in comparison to most of you guys, but still one of the most enjoyable setups I've been behind. Doesn't seem to be the least bit picky about loads either.

 

[Anb618]

Damn — LOOOOOOVE that camo job. Is that the 26” barrel?

24”

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

I just finished an Oryx build on my 24" Howa 1500 SA, i am devasted to find my 24" did not come with a threaded handle for 5/16-24 bolt knobs. My brother who built his 6mm 1500 SA has a threaded bolt handle. Besides sending mine out to a gunsmith or getting a clamp on style knob, is there a way to replace the bolt handle itself?

Thanks, will post pics soon

Howdy,

I ordered a Howa Bravo recently hoping it would come with the threaded bolt knob, but I got the version with the standard bolt knob. Not sure why there are two version of the Howa Bravo, but there are. Also, as another mentioned, it looks like the Howa Bravo is no longer in the Catalog for 2020.

Now... On to your actual question. AFAIK, you can't easily swap bolt handles on a Howa. On a Savage, it is a simple swap, but not so on a Howa. I ended up going with Howa's own HTBK clamp-on knob, which works pretty well.

Scott

 

[stilesg57]

Also, as another mentioned, it looks like the Howa Bravo is no longer in the Catalog for 2020.

Likely wasn't the biggest seller if they're dropping it, but I wonder if part of this is because you can so easily put one together yourself by buying the BA of your choice from Brownells and then drop it in a Bravo chassis, even at a little cost savings.

 

[ReplicaSnipers]

Here's three Howas and a Remington. I don't have a lot of money for the number of guns I want and all of my builds come in at under $1000 USD Rem 700 30-06 in MDT LSS-XL chassis and Magpul stock with Hogue grip and Vortex DBT 4-16x scope, Howa 1500 6.5CM in MDT ESS chassis and stock with a Bushnell AR 6.5CM 4.5-18x, Howa 1500 .300WM with a Vector Optics Martel 4-16X56 ( and miscellaneous parts) total cost of this build only $670 USD incl. bipod and scope, and Howa 1500 .223 in a Boyd's TH stock with BSA tactical 4-14X.

 

[trevor1030]

Finally got my bolt back from Kampfeld Customs, awesome work! Highly recommend, cant wait to go out and shoot it!

Build
Howa 1500 SA 6.5 CM 24 Heavy
Oryx Chassis
Oryx Stock Spacers
Ultradyne Pegasus Tanker
Vortex Diamondback tactical
Vortex Scope Rings
Atlas BT47 LW17
Outerimpact 20 MOA picatinny rail
MDT Vertical Grip
MDT Hybrid Poly/Metal Magazine
Bolt
Kampfeld Custom Fluting
Kampfeld Custom Tactical Knurled Bolt Knob
Kampfeld Custom Bolt Handle Skeletonizing

Will be shooting it this weekend, still debating on a Timney trigger and if i want to upgrade to the Viper PST Gen2 or some nicer glass in general.


Cheers

 

[trevor1030]

Howdy,

I ordered a Howa Bravo recently hoping it would come with the threaded bolt knob, but I got the version with the standard bolt knob. Not sure why there are two version of the Howa Bravo, but there are. Also, as another mentioned, it looks like the Howa Bravo is no longer in the Catalog for 2020.

Now... On to your actual question. AFAIK, you can't easily swap bolt handles on a Howa. On a Savage, it is a simple swap, but not so on a Howa. I ended up going with Howa's own HTBK clamp-on knob, which works pretty well.

Scott

This is correct, i had purchased a Howa 1500 SA 6.5 24" and it had no threaded bolt knob. I sent mine out to Kampfeld Customs for bolt fluting, handle skeletonizing and the threaded bolt knob upgrade. Side note, my brothers indeed came with a threaded bolt knob but i noticed the only difference between mine and his was he has a Howa 1500 SA 6MM 26" inch barrel. I am under the impression if i had went with a 26" barrel i maybe would have got a threaded bolt knob. But i am not sure...

The summary of this post is, i had looked far and wide for a bolt handle but apparently it is almost impossible for a Howa, i tried the clamp on bolt knobs but i could not find that good of a fit. (They always had small play or the orings supplied were to large). So i just sent mine out for gunsmithing and i am glad i did =)

 

[stilesg57]

Side note, my brothers indeed came with a threaded bolt knob but i noticed the only difference between mine and his was he has a Howa 1500 SA 6MM 26" inch barrel. I am under the impression if i had went with a 26" barrel i maybe would have got a threaded bolt knob. But i am not sure...

You might be right: my 26” heavy profile BA in 6.5CM came with a threaded bolt handle and knob. My 22” sporter in 6.5CM came with a standard non-threaded knob. I figured it was due to barrel profile but it might just be barrel length.

 

[ReplicaSnipers]

I've got several Hornady 'Bolt Balls' operating on my Howas. They go really well and cheap as chips.

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

You might be right: my 26” heavy profile BA in 6.5CM came with a threaded bolt handle and knob. My 22” sporter in 6.5CM came with a standard non-threaded knob. I figured it was due to barrel profile but it might just be barrel length.

This Guns and Ammo review of the Howa Bravo shows a 24" 6.5 with a threaded bolt handle. That's the same gun that I ordered but mine didn't include it. Perhaps there was a change over from standard to threaded bolt handles at some point in time...

Guns and Ammo - Howa Bravo Review

 

[jdodd]

If anyone is interested in a G&G Varminting Bolt Knob for your howa let me know. I bought two but will never need the spare. Save you a few bucks and the shipping time from South Africa.

***GONE****

-J

 

[stello1001]

Wba

If anyone is interested in a G&G Varminting Bolt Knob for your howa let me know. I bought two but will never need the spare. Save you a few bucks and the shipping time from South Africa.

-J

What's it look like, got pics?

 

[Macman25]

Interested, pics please

 

[Gregor.Samsa]

If anyone is interested in a G&G Varminting Bolt Knob for your howa let me know. I bought two but will never need the spare. Save you a few bucks and the shipping time from South Africa.

-J

I’ll take it if still available. Pls PM payment details. Thanks

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

Here's mine:

- Howa Bravo 6.5CM 24"
- Howa HTBK Bolt Knob
- Insite Arms Heathen Brake
- Bushnell Forge 3-18x50 FFP
- EGW 20 MOA Base
- MDT Premier Rings
- Wiebad Riser Pad
- Harris Bipod

 

[stello1001]

Here's mine:

- Howa Bravo 6.5CM 24"
- Howa HTBK Bolt Knob
- Insite Arms Heathen Brake
- Bushnell Forge 3-18x50 FFP
- MDT Premier Rings
- Wiebad Riser Pad
- Harris Bipod

It sounds like you've got a great build but the pictures are not working for me. What are you doing to upload them?

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

stello1001... I had them hosted on Imgur, but I have now attached them... Hopefully that works. Thanks for letting me know!

 

[BigdaddyWSM]

Here's mine from yesterday doing break in. Krieger 8 twist 6.5 creedmoor, vortex razor he gen 2, KRG bravo heavy, area419 brake, Timney trigger. Weighs in at 19 lbs.

 

[stilesg57]

Here's mine from yesterday doing break in. Krieger 8 twist 6.5 creedmoor, vortex razor he gen 2, KRG bravo heavy, area419 brake, Timney trigger. Weighs in at 19 lbs.

How’d you get the weight up? I’ve got a 26” heavy barreled action, the 419 brake, the Razor G2, a Warne bipod, and am planning on putting it all in a Bravo chassis this spring...but I’m at like 12lbs now, which means ~15lbs all in. Where are your additional 4lbs coming from? What’s a “bravo heavy”?

I’m trying to up the weight for stability from the bench btw. I’ll never carry this thing far in the field or anything, just a range toy.

 

[stilesg57]

Finally getting this guy out to the range for the first time:

Weatherby Vanguard — aka Howa 1500 — in 6.5CM. This one has a fluted and threaded barrel and was just $440 at Kentucky Gun Co last December. I love tuning the HACT triggers but for a long range hunting/field rifle this one was already dialed in perfectly (if anything it’s a little light).

Topped it with the Bushy LRHS in Talley lightweight rings. I’ll break her in today, get some groups and report back. This is my 2nd Howa 1500 after my ultralight Mini in 6.5 Grendel. The third is the barreled action long range toy Ive been piecing together for a year and still need to throw in a chassis.

 

[BigdaddyWSM]

How’d you get the weight up? I’ve got a 26” heavy barreled action, the 419 brake, the Razor G2, a Warne bipod, and am planning on putting it all in a Bravo chassis this spring...but I’m at like 12lbs now, which means ~15lbs all in. Where are your additional 4lbs coming from? What’s a “bravo heavy”?

I’m trying to up the weight for stability from the bench btw. I’ll never carry this thing far in the field or anything, just a range toy.

buttstock, handgrip, lead shot + foam.

 

[aoisdff8a7ytuigh]

More of an older style 1500.

Topped with a 23 year old Leupold 3-9x40 scope that isn’t sold anymore, a Classic Walnut stock from Boyd’s, a browning sling, and a bipod, in .30-06.

 

[Nodak]

Here is my 6.5 Grendel Mini. All dressed up it now has a HSLR 6x24x50, side fold adapter and a Crux 6.5 Saxon suppressor

 

[ReplicaSnipers]

Here is my 6.5 Grendel Mini. All dressed up it now has a HSLR 6x24x50, side fold adapter and a Crux 6.5 Saxon suppressorView attachment 7262912

Nice little Rig! Is that an MDT chassis? LSS? My Hogue Beavertail grip would not fit mine. Did you have to mod it?

 

[Nodak]

Yup, MDT LSS GEN 1. No mods. Bolted right up

 

[delinquent pleb]

Here's mine:

- Howa Bravo 6.5CM 24"
- Howa HTBK Bolt Knob
- Insite Arms Heathen Brake
- Bushnell Forge 3-18x50 FFP
- EGW 20 MOA Base
- MDT Premier Rings
- Wiebad Riser Pad
- Harris Bipod

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That set looks brilliant. KRG Bravo is on my Howa.

Could you tell us what sort of Magazines they are?

 

[Old_Longhair]

My pretty much stock APC 6.5CM w/GG&G bipod, Athlon Midas TAC 6-24, Burris 25MOA base & Signature XTR rings, GSL Multi-Cal can, sitting on a Precision Underground ELR bag.
A set of lower rings and Atlasworxs bottom metal will get swapped in soon.

 

[wolfscall]

Howa 1500 American Flag .308
Nico Sterling Diamond LR 6-16x50

 

[Shankin]

Howa Bravo 6.5 Creed

And the wife mates Howa .223 in an XLR Evo chassis.

 

[Redonthehead]

View attachment 7220861
It’s Reverse Nightstalker coyote tan-tarmac green-black. It looks amazing in person!

Love it! I ordered that Luth-AR stock but will likely need to extend my LOP. What butt plate/pad did you stack up to achieve this? Is it adjustable up/down?

 

[CavReconScout]

It’s a Limbsaver Airtech 10812. Same one the Choate stock uses. It’s been so long since I set up that stock I am not sure about the adjustment.

 

[Wybry]

Here's three Howas and a Remington. I don't have a lot of money for the number of guns I want and all of my builds come in at under $1000 USD Rem 700 30-06 in MDT LSS-XL chassis and Magpul stock with Hogue grip and Vortex DBT 4-16x scope, Howa 1500 6.5CM in MDT ESS chassis and stock with a Bushnell AR 6.5CM 4.5-18x, Howa 1500 .300WM with a Vector Optics Martel 4-16X56 ( and miscellaneous parts) total cost of this build only $670 USD incl. bipod and scope, and Howa 1500 .223 in a Boyd's TH stock with BSA tactical 4-14X.

Do you mind if I ask for some more info on these builds? How the heck did you do them for so cheap! Currently pricing out a 6.5 cm or 6.5 prc with either a krg bravo or mdt chassis. Just the BA and chassis puts me at 1k just wondering how ya did it. Thanks

 

[ReplicaSnipers]

Hi there, I managed to do it so cheaply because I bought all the component parts over time and on sale or secondhand, with already attached mods like 20 MOA rails and muzzle brakes to nearly new rifles. The MDT chassis were all purchased new in the Black Friday sale along with Mags x10 for a fraction of the price normally. I also am not afraid to buy stuff like accessories and butts, buffer tubes etc. from China and eBay. Some of the optics are not top drawer and many might poo poo me for not spending a lot on them but they are all really nice and functional and I don't care what others think so long as it works for me. Likewise rather than spending a load on a tactical bolt handle and gunsmithing to fit it I put on Hornady bolt balls for $10 USD which are fantastic in function and look like the old school Swedish CG63 and CG80 style. Taking your time with an end in mind and searching for what you need for the build and capitalising on people throwing money into something they never use or got bored of etc. is a great way to save on the build. For example my .300 WM build had everything else ready to go as soon as the right rifle came up secondhand for the right price then I literally threw it all together in a morning and had it it ready to shoot by the afternoon. It's great fun when they are completed. Also sometimes there is stuff on the rifle you use that is superfluous to your build so I sell my bits and pieces and recoup some money that way. Also I have a lot of rifles so I have some spare accessories lying around usually and can utilise as many of those that are appropriate. Today I've just started my mini PRS build based on a CZ455 Varmint that I bought new for $410 USD. I already had the MDT chassis (bought in Black Fri sale before finding the rifle) and buffer tube and stock and bolt ball and M-lock rail with pushbutton sling attachment and Leupold CZ rimfire steel rings that I got as part of deal for some other 26mm rings recently (essentially free) and I'm transferring the Vector Optics scope currently on my .300WM Howa to it as it is a great scope and 1" tube but 80MOA of internal elevation adjustment. I have an Atlas replica bipod which works really well and had a Magpul grip that came as part of a deal on a stock for my 30-06 Rem MDT build (also essentially cost me nothing). So I guess what I do is I formulate exactly what I want to build down to the fine details, then do a lot of scanning and researching and scouring sales etc. and collecting sometimes secondhand sometimes NOS or bought used once parts over time and then when I have everything I put it all together and hey presto an awesome rifle for not too much money.

 

[Mr.Sparkle]

That set looks brilliant. KRG Bravo is on my Howa.

Could you tell us what sort of Magazines they are?

Howdy dp,

Those are the new MDT "hybrid" polymer mags with metal feed lips and a window. I haven't tested them yet, but they feel like quality kit, like all of the other MDT products I have seen.

Scott

 

[aoisdff8a7ytuigh]

Got a new one folks.

Howa 1500 chambered in 7mm Rem Mag

Equipped with a Bipod, a 3-12x44 Scope, a Hogue Overmold Stock, and a Field and Stream Ammo Holder & Wrap, here’s my Deer, Elk, and Long Range rifle.